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NSI Insurance Group Acquires Fourth Agency in 15 Months

NSI Insurance Group

NSI Insurance Group, a leading independent insurance agency specializing in risk management, employee benefits, and insurance services for businesses and individuals, recently made its third and fourth acquisitions in the past 15 months, with the purchase White Cloud Insurance and Express Insurance, both in Miami. NSI Insurance Group now has four offices throughout South Florida. NSI Insurance Group, founded in 1958, ranks among the largest privately owned firms in Florida and operates within five business segments including personal and commercial insurance, employee benefits, and specialty programs. The company has achieved robust growth, driven by a combination of expansion in existing verticals and strategic acquisitions. The company has been continuously recognized as a “Best Practices” agency in a survey of the largest insurance agencies in the United States. “We have continued our long-standing pattern of consistent yet conservative growth through growing our existing client base and making strategic acquisitions of top-quality insurance companies throughout South Florida,” said NSI Insurance Group CEO Oscar Seikaly. “We believe our strategy brings exceptional new opportunities for our clients and our employees as we continue to develop our firm.” Last year, NSI Insurance Group acquired Fort Lauderdale, Florida-based Pallant Insurance, one of the largest LGTBQ-owned and managed agencies in the state. The Pallant brand continues under the same leadership as a subsidiary of NSI Insurance Group. Last summer, the company acquired Ensurgroup, based in South Miami, while the Express Insurance and White Cloud acquisitions closed in the past few months. “As the South Florida population grows and density increases, we must become more geographically diverse and reinforce our back-office operations,” said Seikaly. “The acquisitions enable us to move quickly and improve our leverage with major carriers, which is critical during a tight market.” According to Seikaly, the acquired agencies were all excellent cultural fits, and each firm brings expertise that benefits the entire organization. Executive leaders of each firm have been retained and continue to work with the company. Contact Details David PR Group John P. David +1 305-274-3903 john@davidpr.com

September 15, 2021 10:59 AM Eastern Daylight Time

HowToBet.com continues to deliver great content through it’s HowToBet Podcast

HowToBet.com

Have you found out How to Bet yet? Well, if you have, you are one of the tens of thousands of fans that have already been part of the newest sports betting podcast on the scene, How To Bet. The show, hosted by Daryl Fein and Sean “The Genius” Miller, with John Mozes as producer, Tiffany Hartman as executive producer, Trey Wright as producer and audio engineer, with Andrew Jacabacci and Kaylee Ettinger on graphics, is now in its third week. The newest edition will be launched on Wednesday, September 15 on various streaming sites as well as the HowtoBet.com YouTube channel. It has been received very well all around the world, and especially in America, where the first two weeks’ numbers have been very strong for a new podcast. The show shows people how to bet, where to bet it, and who to bet on, for all the NFL games of each week, as well as some bonus wagers from around the world of sports. “It has been a lot of fun so far to work with Daryl and the crew picking these games,” Miller said. “I have really enjoyed the show format, where we can impart some of our knowledge about betting to the people who might be new to the game, and maybe to ones that have been around for a while as well. “The sports betting landscape is changing by the day, week, month, and year. Arizona just joined the fray the day of the first NFL game, and already posted amazing numbers in its first weekend of action. This is something that is still not even in half of American states, so the opportunity to grow as a show, and for How to Bet to grow as a site, is immense.” The full podcast is usually between 50-55 minutes, and also has a couple of breakaway sections that can be found on the How to Bet podcast: the Power Parlay Plays of the Week, and a new feature for Episode 3, the Primetime Plus Bets of the Week, where the dynamic duo break down all three primetime games each week (Thursday night, Sunday night, and Monday night), as well as one featured game from each of the other two windows on Sunday: 1 p.m. EDT and 4:05/4:25 p.m. EDT. In episode 2 covering Week 1 of the NFL campaign, Miller nailed his Power Parlay Plays, hitting a three-team wager on the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, LA Rams, and San Francisco 49ers, along with his bonus play on the other football, Manchester United to win and Cristiano Ronaldo to score. “Yeah, I took a shot with some big favorites on the money lines,” Miller said. “If the Bucs covered the spread as well, it would have been a massive weekend. But I did alright despite that.” Along with the show, Miller will be posting four stories each week breaking down the Thursday Night Football Bets, the Sunday Night Football Bets, the Monday Night Football Bets, and an overview of the whole week’s upcoming NFL Betting Lines, including all the opening lines and the current spreads, so bettors can have up to date lines all the way up until kickoff. “I think it is important to get the information out there each week through multiple media,” Miller said. “The podcast is so cool, because we have the video and audio going out simultaneously on Wednesday at noon each week, a full day and a half before the Thursday Night Football game that week. But it also gives bettors a chance to maybe jump on the early lines that come out, BEFORE the lines move later in the week as more people start betting them. Sometimes, if you wait until Sunday, the value has diminished. “But no matter when you get a chance to listen, watch, or read the information, it is going to help you place better bets, no pun intended.” For Week 2 of the NFL action, and episode 3 of the How to Bet podcast, Miller and Fein focused on the deal that Caesars Sportsbook is offering to all How to Bet fans. Just use the bonus code HOWTOBETRF to get a $5,000 risk free wager with your first bet after signup and deposit. Try to find a better deal than that anywhere in America: you will not. See the videocast on the How To Bet Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC85TwfO51P8vCUNiz5DFchw Find all the specific audio streaming links: Apple iTunes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-bet/id1584209732 Anchor: https://anchor.fm/howtobet Breaker: https://breaker.audio/how-to-bet Castbox: https://castbox.fm/channel/id4534260?country=us…… Google: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbmNob3IuZm0vcy82OTkyMjMwNC9wb2RjYXN0L3Jzcw?sa=X&ved=0CAIQ9sEGahcKEwjQrrLGkd_yAhUAAAAAHQAAAAAQSg… … Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2fHE1Gft0jQI6HUhNhq94j… … Pocket Casts: https://pca.st/x99ghld0 Overcast: https://overcast.fm/p3336138-gu9fI9 Radio Public: https://radiopublic.com/how-to-bet-6rxgna… Howtobet.com offers the world’s most comprehensive betting wikipedia that can be accessed via a user-friendly web app. Its mission is to help make online betting safe, fun and as easy as performing a search on the web. There are already more than 400+ how-to guides freely available, all written by seasoned betting professionals. More guides are being added on a weekly basis in a continued effort to educate anyone interested in what is now a $199 billion betting industry. For more details, visit: https://www.howtobet.com/about-us/ Contact Details Cristian Campan +1 888-264-1238 cristian.campan@raketech.com Company Website https://www.howtobet.com/

September 15, 2021 10:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time

ThriveFantasy Closes $3M Funding Round as Platform Continues to Experience Sizable Growth

ThriveFantasy

ThriveFantasy, the leading player prop daily fantasy sports and esports platform, announced today the closure of its latest funding round, raising $3 million (USD). The round will be used to acquire strategic talent, solidify numerous sports/esports partnerships and continue its aggressive marketing programs to exponentially increase strong user growth. ThriveFantasy was created to give everyday fans a better chance at winning by challenging them to pick simple player props for sports or esports contests such as, over/under of yards, catches, touchdowns, assists or kills and more. The platform’s ease of use and focus on both sports and esports contests continues to attract many different types of users and led to significant growth over the past 12 months. “We are excited to see how ThriveFantasy has become the prop game of choice for the exploding number of fantasy players”, said Adam Weinstein, CEO of ThriveFantasy. “Our investors truly understand this unique value proposition and enthusiastically helped us complete this round very quickly to help supercharge our ongoing growth.” The round was led by Cardinal Sports Capital Inc. (formerly, Shore Capital Sports & Entertainment LLC), an advisory and investment firm with offices in Toronto and New York. As part of its strategic investment, Cardinal Sports Capital Inc. will take an active role assisting ThriveFantasy with business development, strategic partnerships as well as financial advisory services. Scott Secord, Managing Partner, will also join the ThriveFantasy Board of Directors. Mr. Secord is the former President/CEO of Gaming Nation Inc., a publicly traded company on the TSXV, which was acquired in 2018 by a private equity firm. Prior to Gaming Nation, Mr. Secord held the position of President/CEO of Pointstreak Sports Technologies Inc. from 2009 until 2015. “ThriveFantasy is exciting because it is a unique fantasy platform that gives both esports and traditional sports fans a fun and easy playing experience,” said Secord. “The opportunities in the sports and gaming industry seem limitless, but we understand that one of the strengths of this market lies in the quality and experience of the platforms. Thrive’s is one of the best we’ve seen. Our investment in Thrive shows our commitment to continually improving how these games are offered to the growing number of fantasy fans.” Due to ThriveFantasy’s popularity, current and former professional athletes participated in this investment round. Notable investors include: New York Angels members, Yolo Investments, Reflect Ventures and Stage 1 Ventures. For more information, please visit www.Thrivefantasy.com About ThriveFantasy ThriveFantasy is a Daily Fantasy Sports and Esports App for Player Props. Thrive eliminates the countless hours of research users have to spend, by only focusing on the top-tier athletes that have the biggest impact on the game. Follow ThriveFantasy on Instagram (@ThriveFantasy), Twitter (@ThriveFantasy) and Facebook (ThriveFantasy). Contact Details Michael Adorno madorno@hotpaperlantern.com Company Website https://www.thrivefantasy.com/

September 15, 2021 09:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

LIVERPOOL JOHN LENNON AIRPORT GETS ‘STATE OF THE ART’ COVID PCR TESTING LABORATORY

Test Assurance Group (TAG), Salutaris People, Source BioScience and Liverpool John Lennon Airport

TEST ASSURANCE GROUP (TAG) AND SALUTARIS PEOPLE PARTNERS WITH SOURCE BIOSCIENCE TO PROVIDE 3 HOUR RAPID PCR TESTING SERVICES FOR JOHN LENNON AIRPORT AIRLINE PASSENGERS ON SITE LAB WILL ERADICATE ‘UNCLEARS’ & ‘LOST TEST’ RESULTS Leading British healthcare and testing company Salutaris People - which operates the rapid PCR testing services for airline passengers at Liverpool John Lennon Airport, in partnership with Test Assurance Group Ltd (TAG(Official Covid-19 testing partner to Liverpool John Lennon Airport)- has today unveiled a brand new COVID testing laboratory at Liverpool John Lennon Airport. The state-of-the-art facility is in partnership with Source BioScience - a leading international provider of laboratory services to clients in the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare, clinical, life science research and biopharma industries - and Salutaris People in partnership with Test Assurance Group Ltd (TAG) are providing COVID and PCR testing at Liverpool John Lennon airport. The new laboratory has been designed to perform 500 tests per day but can easily be increased in scale to facilitate 1000 tests and beyond if required. Source BioScience are Accredited to ISO 15189: 2012 standards and is also a DHSC listed provider of COVID-19 testing. The service provided by TAG, Salutaris People,and Source BioScience enables airline passengers at Liverpool John Lennon Airport and those flying from other UK airports with a Rapid Fit to Fly testing service with a turnaround time of 3 hours, alongside a Standard 24 hour Fit to Fly testing service. Samples are also collected on site at Liverpool and processed at Source BioScience’s main laboratory in Nottingham enabling Day 2, Day 8, Test to Release and a diagnostic PCR COVID testing service for customers. Cliff Kirby Board Director of Test Assurance Group said: "We are incredibly proud to be working in partnership with Liverpool John Lennon Airport to support their testing needs. As a business located in the Liverpool City Region it is very important to TAG to ensure the service offered is best in class. Throughout the course of 2021 we have put the passenger first whenever there has been a change in legislation or entry requirements for travel has changed. In line with this it is brilliant for all concerned that Source BioScience have dedicated a facility to support the vision laid out between TAG and Liverpool John Lennon Airport. As we all start to accept and learn to live with COVID-19 we hope that our approach will make a real difference to those passengers who choose to fly from Liverpool John Lennon Airport." Ben Paglia MD of Akea Life, the clinical testing partner to Salutaris People said; “We are pleased to be working in partnership with Source BioScience to provide brand new state of the art facilities on site at Liverpool John Lennon Airport and to offer our customers the best-in-class when it comes to rapid PCR testing services. For airline passengers using Liverpool John Lennon airport, or any other UK airport for that matter, they can book a test with confidence, knowing their COVID test will be administered by trained healthcare staff and then processed on site within our laboratory, with results back in 3 hours or 24 hours depending on the service chosen. We offer a seamless and simple user journey experience for the customer, making this part of the travel process as simple and painless as possible from a trusted healthcare provider. More importantly with our lab facilities on site this eradicates test results going missing in the postal system and the huge amount of ‘Unclear’ test results that have originated from self-administered test kits provided by major airlines and travel operators as part of their testing regimes. This has caused a huge amount of disruption with passengers paying twice for testing kits and a huge amount of disruption to air travel and holiday plans. ‘Unclears’ and ‘lost test results’ continue to pose a major issue to airline passengers.” Salutaris People are committed to providing the best possible testing services to its customers from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to make the testing experience seamless, simple and easy to use. It has made a substantial investment into the onsite laboratory facilities at Liverpool John Lennon airport as European and International air travel strives to return to full flight schedules. Commenting on the new facilities at Liverpool John Lennon airport, Commercial Director Lucy O’Shaughnessy, said; “We are delighted to be the first airport in the UK to have such a unique facility and service. Liverpool John Lennon Airport can now provide our valued airline passengers with a state-of-the-art COVID testing facility on site here at the airport as we start to resume our flight schedules and have more passengers flying again. The airport continually strives to offer the best possible service for our customers at all times. Working in partnership with Test Assurance Group (TAG) / Salutaris People and Source BioScience enables us to offer a convenient and efficient PCR testing service operated by trusted healthcare providers.” Liverpool John Lennon Airport is one of the few airports in the UK to have such a dedicated facility. It is operated by four laboratory staff including a shift supervisor and has 8 PCR analysers on site, a Bio Molecular Systems liquid handler and a thermal cycler to offer a rapid real-time qualitative PCR method for the detection of SARS-CoV-2. Nick Bills Healthcare Director for Source BioScience said; “Source BioScience have worked together with EMS Mobile Healthcare to design and build a state-of-the-art mobile COVID testing laboratory for Salutaris People at Liverpool Airport. This laboratory will allow Salutaris People to offer the best-in-class testing services to airline passengers flying from Liverpool John Lennon airport. Source BioScience is a leading international provider of laboratory services to clients in the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare, clinical, life science research and biopharma industries and our focus is on improving patient diagnosis, management and care.” Both Test Assurance Group and Salutaris People are DHSC listed COVID-19 test providers. Salutaris People also offer a testing suite at Wilmslow which is minutes from Manchester Airport. The TAG / Salutaris partnership nables them to offer their service to all passengers flying from either Liverpool John Lennon Airport or Manchester Airport, as well as airline passengers who live in Liverpool, North Wales, Manchester and Cheshire who may be flying from other UK airports to their holiday destinations. For more information on Salutaris People and to book a test, visit: www.salutarispeople.com For more information on Test Assurance Group and book a test visit: www.testassurancegroup.com/bookatest For more information on Salutaris airport testing, visit: www.salutarispeople.com/airport-testing/ For more information on Source BioScience please contact https://www.sourcebioscience.com ENDS For further information on Salutaris People, Akea Life, Test Assurance Group and Source BioScience Please contact Gerard Franklin - Head Of PR & Communications M: 07791 039636 e: gerard@i5media.co.uk NOTES TO EDITORS TEST ASSURANCE GROUP (TAG) TAG was formed at the end of Q1 2020 to address the inevitable need to provide end to end testing solutions supporting the national effort to help navigate a route through the COVid-19 pandemic. TAG take the view that the post pandemic World will be quite different to that of early 2020. To that end TAG take a very different approach and make best use of process and technology to build and deliver end to end testing solutions that deliver efficiencies to the market and enable an easier transition to a post COVID-19 market. The Core team at TAG bring with them over 200 years of business experience across all sectors from medical, legal, group ownership, and technology. However, TAG are very much a business that believe in partnership and work closely with the team at Liverpool John Lennon Airport and Salutaris People. Outside of the partnership with Liverpool John Lennon Airport TAG are working with a range of community partners to bring forward Covid-19 testing solutions to the market to support a much wider community footprint. www.testassurancegroup.com SALUTARIS PEOPLE Salutaris People was formed in 2020 by healthcare entrepreneurs and disruptors Ross Tomkins CEO (Therapy Direct, Normedica) and Ben Paglia CEO (Akea Life) who wanted to combine their innovative healthcare businesses to develop a trusted healthcare brand. Its purpose was to fight the Coronavirus pandemic and become a trusted provider of Covid related medical services. Ross Tompkins and Ben Paglia decided to combine their expertise from three well established medical businesses with 30 years of healthcare experience to form the Salutaris subsidiary. The company provides a range of medical services including, PCR Covid 19 testing for businesses, private individuals and outbound airline passengers. It also supplies rapid antigen and rapid antibody testing for UK businesses and remote telemedicine services for business and the general public. Salutaris People is also one of the UK’s most trusted suppliers of high-grade PPE, pharmaceuticals and medical supplies to private businesses, primary care trusts, the public sector and Governments. It draws upon on the extensive background and expertise in medical services and healthcare derived from these companies www.salutarispeople.com AKEA LIFE – Clinical Testing Partner To Salutaris People AKEA LIFE is a CQC registered 5-star private GP medical business, providing the UK’s first fully private concierge medical service of private doctors, health care professionals and nurses. The practice also retains a Covid 19 Consultant Virologist to advise on all Covid 19 related matters. Its clients have ranged from football clubs such as Liverpool Football club, Aston Villa, Wolverhampton Wanderers, IAC Automotive, Lift Financial and Bentley Manchester. It has also provided private Covid 19 testing for several TV and film companies including a number of Hollywood actors filming on location in the UK https://akealife.co.uk AKEA LIFE - Consultant Virologist - Dr Brendan Payne Dr Brendan Payne is an honorary consultant physician in infectious diseases at the Royal Victoria Infirmary - Newcastle Upon Tyne. Dr Brendan Payne holds CCTs in both infectious diseases and virology and works jointly across both departments at the Newcastle Hospitals. He has particular interests in viral infections, especially in immunocompromised hosts, and is also the medical lead for the regional Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) service. Dr Payne is an honorary clinical senior lecturer at Newcastle University, where he is a Principal Investigator in the Wellcome Centre for Mitochondrial Research. His main research interests are focussed on HIV and ageing. He is also involved in clinical and diagnostic research studies for the Newcastle Hospitals. These include clinical trials in HIV, and more recently COVID-19. He is senior tutor for medical students intercalating into the MRes programme. Special interests • Complex HIV (particularly neurological, metabolic complications, and anti-retroviral resistance) • Infection in the non-HIV immunocompromised patient • Viral infectious diseases • Diagnostics of viral infections • Chronic fatigue syndrome • Clinical research SOURCE BIOSCIENCE Source BioScience is a leading international provider of laboratory services to clients in the pharmaceutical industry, healthcare, clinical, life science research and biopharma industries and our focus is on improving patient diagnosis, management and care. Source BioScience are Accredited to ISO 15189: 2012 standards and also one a DHSC listed provider of COVID-19 testing. Professor William L. Irving, Professor and Honorary Consultant in Virology is part of the Source BioScience Scientific Advisory Board, see full profile here https://www.sourcebioscience.com/scientific-advisory-board/professor-william-l-irving/ Proud winners of the Medilink Midlands Business Awards 2021 ‘Delivery Innovation In To Health and Care’ Source BioScience services include: Healthcare Diagnostics – histopathology and clinical diagnostic services for the NHS and private healthcare providers across the UK and Ireland. Genomics – Sanger and Next Generation sequencing services for pharmaceutical and biotech industries, academia, CRO and other research groups in the UK, Europe and the US Stability Storage – controlled environmental storage and shelf life testing services and stability storage equipment for pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry, contract manufacturers and analytical testing companies in the UK, Europe and the US Infectious Disease Testing – since May 2020, COVID-19 Antigen RT-PCR testing services to the NHS, private healthcare providers and private industry. More details can be found here: www.sourcebioscience.com MEDIA NOTICE Ben Paglia MD Akea Life & Cliff Kirby Test Assurance Group are available for media interviews B Roll footage shot at Liverpool John Lennon Airport Interviews and footage of the laboratory Source BioScience laboratory images interior /exterior and company logos Are all available to download here from WE TRANSFER https://we.tl/t-8gYR96awZA Contact Details Gerard Franklin +44 7791 039636 gerard@i5media.co.uk Company Website https://testassurancegroup.com/

September 15, 2021 03:01 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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The 2021 American Thoracic Society Virtual Event

Convey Services

In 2021 the American Thoracic Society hosted their annual conference as a virtual event. The ATS Virtual Conference provided both attendees and exhibitors with a virtual experience that would closely replicate the in-person environment. The ATS International Conference attracts pulmonary, critical care, and sleep professionals, from those in the earliest stages of their careers to those whose research or strides in clinical care has gained them international recognition. Each year, nearly 14,000 of these professionals choose to attend, present, and learn about the latest advances, meet with colleagues from around the world, and create new collaborations and connections. It is truly where today’s science meets tomorrow’s care. Download the case study for free at: Case Study in Virtual & Hybrid Events for Medical Organizations — The story of ATS 2021. “The MCI Group was tapped to be the event management company for the ATS virtual event, said Carolyn Bradfield, CEO of Cloud Conventions. “MCI is a global engagement and marketing agency that creates human-centric touchpoints to unleash the power of people to deliver innovation and growth. Cloud Conventions was selected as the virtual technology platform to manage the ATS virtual event. Our solutions is a sophisticated enterprise platform that manages everything needed to execute a flawless virtual event, tradeshow or conference.” ATS Virtual Conference Goal The virtual conference was designed around three main elements to meet the goal: • Presentations & Sessions • CME/MOC Education • The Industry Solution Center for sponsors Attendees at the ATS Virtual Conference engaged through networking events featuring experts from the medical industry, attendee-to-exhibitor real-time chat, online discussion forums and “ Community™ ” featuring searchable attendee directories, profile cards for each attendee and instant messaging between attendees. The live portion of the virtual conference was held over a five-day period, and on-demand content was made available for ninety days. Click here to download: Case Study in Virtual & Hybrid Events for Medical Organizations — The story of ATS 2021 About Cloud Conventions Cloud Conventions from Convey Services is Cloud Conventions is an enterprise virtual/hybrid event management platform that redefines the exhibitor and attendee experience to allow companies to provide easy access to in-depth product information, showcase their brands with graphics and videos, create calls to action and generate immediate sales leads. Used around the world for large managed events and smaller self-directed meetings, conferences and corporate kickoffs, Cloud Conventions automates exhibitors and virtual booths, continuing education, speaker sessions and reminders, invitations and email communication, while at the same time producing detailed analytics on attendee, session and exhibitor activity. Cloud Conventions supports multiple languages and currencies, internal, external and single-sign on registration, and supports all conferencing carriers and platforms. Trade Associations and event managers can explore all of the Cloud Conventions solutions by visiting https://cloudconventions.com or contacting info@cloudconventions.com or call 888-975-1382. Cloud Conventions™, Cloud Conventions Enterprise Event Network™, Community™, SafetyNet™, Cloud Kickoffs™, Conduct™, One-Touch Email Share™, Hub & Spoke™, 360° Virtual Exhibit Hall & Lobby Experience™ and ListLock™ are trademarks of Convey Services LLC Contact Details Bruce Ahern +1 770-580-0810 bahern@conveyservices.com Company Website https://cloudconventions.com

September 14, 2021 04:42 PM Eastern Daylight Time

Cloud Conventions Creates DIY Playbook for Managing & Delivering Virtual Events

Convey Services

Cloud Conventions today released a new Do-it-Yourself (DIY) eBook for associations, nonprofits, and businesses designed to reduce cost and increase efficiency with a self-managed program to create and deliver a virtual conference or trade event. It’s all outlined in “The DIY Virtual and Hybrid Event — Case Study,” available for free to download. Cloud Conventions is a sophisticated event management platform that redefines the attendee and exhibitor experience focused on delivering virtual and hybrid events for associations and business. “Most organizations with live events that were scheduled in 2020 and 2021 have now had the experience of staging those events virtually,” said Carolyn Bradfield, CEO of Cloud Conventions. “Even though live events are returning, maintaining a virtual event option will be vital to your event strategy, even after all of the challenges of COVID have passed. To simplify and demystify the process, we created a DIY program for meeting planners that have gotten comfortable with virtual events but want to maximize their effectiveness, while managing more of the elements themselves to reduce cost and maintain more control.” The cost and effort to add virtual options to complement a live event or as a stand-alone event has been overwhelming for many organizations with limited staff or a tight budget. Cloud Conventions’ DIY Virtual Events offer a low-cost subscription to the event management platform and a step-by-step playbook to simplify planning, execution, and management. The DIY event program shows you on how to create a content and session strategy, a virtual exhibit option for sponsors, expanded attendee engagement strategies and a way to automate onboarding attendees and manage the platform. A DIY platform comes configured and organized, making it easy to brand and add other elements without technical expertise or programming. “We generated two of our own virtual events before we began delivering virtual events to clients,” added Bradfield. “We took the lessons we gained from our events and coupled them with what we learned from executing hundreds of events for other customers. We created an eBook that outlines 9 key steps for executing a successful DIY virtual event. In this eBook, we relate those steps to how we delivered Cloud Conventions 2021, a virtual trade event for the telecommunications and cloud sales channel in May 2021.” The Cloud Conventions technology platform is designed with the non-technical user in mind with self-help and user tips built into administrative routines. The platform comes with templates for email communication, virtual exhibitor booths, session and content posts, directories and pages. Customers can take advantage of built-in Zoom or BlueJeans by Verizon conferencing capabilities to broadcast video sessions and keynotes. Event planners can also use their own preferred video accounts such as Teams, GoToMeeting or GlobalMeet. Analytics and reporting are automated to give the event organizer and exhibitors a detailed view of all attendee engagement. Click here to download: The DIY Virtual and Hybrid Event — Case Study About Cloud Conventions Cloud Conventions from Convey Services is Cloud Conventions is an enterprise virtual/hybrid event management platform that redefines the exhibitor and attendee experience to allow companies to provide easy access to in-depth product information, showcase their brands with graphics and videos, create calls to action and generate immediate sales leads. Used around the world for large managed events and smaller self-directed meetings, conferences and corporate kickoffs, Cloud Conventions automates exhibitors and virtual booths, continuing education, speaker sessions and reminders, invitations and email communication, while at the same time producing detailed analytics on attendee, session and exhibitor activity. Cloud Conventions supports multiple languages and currencies, internal, external and single-sign on registration, and supports all conferencing carriers and platforms. Trade Associations and event managers can explore all of the Cloud Conventions solutions by visiting https://cloudconventions.com or contacting info@cloudconventions.com or call 888-975-1382. Cloud Conventions™, Cloud Conventions Enterprise Event Network™, Community™, SafetyNet™, Cloud Kickoffs™, Conduct™, One-Touch Email Share™, Hub & Spoke™, 360° Virtual Exhibit Hall & Lobby Experience™ and ListLock™ are trademarks of Convey Services LLC Contact Details Bruce Ahern +1 770-580-0810 bahern@conveyservices.com Company Website https://cloudconventions.com

September 14, 2021 03:29 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Cloud Conventions Releases New eBook for Associations Detailing 2021 Virtual & Hybrid Event Outlook

Convey Services

Cloud Conventions today released a new eBook exclusively for event planners of professional associations and trade groups entitled “2021 Virtual & Hybrid Event Outlook for Associations,” available free to download. It offers practical advice for associations to make their next live, hybrid or virtual event deliver the right experience for the organization, its members, and sponsors. The eBooks focuses on the business case for redefining online event experiences backed by research. “Professionals that manage live and virtual conferences for associations struggle with how they should engage their membership now that live events are starting to return,” said Carolyn Bradfield, CEO of Cloud Conventions. “We assembled this eBook to look at research from well-respected sources to see how having virtual event options has impacted how members engage with associations before, during and after the pandemic. We look at how sponsors view their investment in virtual events, and what it tells us about how associations should plan their event strategy moving forward.” In 2020 the pandemic forced associations to cancel in-person gatherings and pivot to everything from webinars to multi-day virtual conferences. Scrambling to offer some sort of online experience to replace the much-anticipated live conferences represented a fundamental change in the way an association and its membership connected historically. The result was a lower revenue producing virtual option that represented a huge decline in the association’s bottom line. However, the upside of virtual events, when effectively done, has been a game changer for many associations leading to increased attendance, greater member engagement and additional sponsorship revenue outside of membership or attendance fees. “Now that live events are starting to return, associations have asked themselves if continuing virtual events are really worth it,” added Bradfield. “ The 2020 study of 1,000 respondents, ‘Association Trends: From Disruption to Opportunity ’ produced by Community Brands reveals that having a virtual option for membership participation has moved from a nice to have, to a must have. Recent cancellations of live events because of renewed COVID concerns scheduled for this fall is an indicator that the pandemic is far from over. Having a virtual or hybrid option still is the best insurance that the show will go on, no matter what.” Although 2020 was disruptive, in the last several years revenue from membership dues has declined for many associations, while revenue from other sources increased, accounting for over half of the funding for a given group. “2021 Virtual & Hybrid Event Outlook for Associations” reviews the value delivered to the membership and key factors behind increased participation when doing virtual or hybrid events. Cloud Conventions is an event management platform that redefines the attendee and exhibitor experience with a strong focus on delivering virtual and hybrid events for association and nonprofit groups. Click here to download: 2021 Virtual & Hybrid Event Outlook for Associations About Cloud Conventions Cloud Conventions from Convey Services is Cloud Conventions is an enterprise virtual/hybrid event management platform that redefines the exhibitor and attendee experience to allow companies to provide easy access to in-depth product information, showcase their brands with graphics and videos, create calls to action and generate immediate sales leads. Used around the world for large managed events and smaller self-directed meetings, conferences and corporate kickoffs, Cloud Conventions automates exhibitors and virtual booths, continuing education, speaker sessions and reminders, invitations and email communication, while at the same time producing detailed analytics on attendee, session and exhibitor activity. Cloud Conventions supports multiple languages and currencies, internal, external and single-sign on registration, and supports all conferencing carriers and platforms. Trade Associations and event managers can explore all of the Cloud Conventions solutions by visiting https://cloudconventions.com or contacting info@cloudconventions.com or call 888-975-1382. Cloud Conventions™, Cloud Conventions Enterprise Event Network™, Community™, SafetyNet™, Cloud Kickoffs™, Conduct™, One-Touch Email Share™, Hub & Spoke™, 360° Virtual Exhibit Hall & Lobby Experience™ and ListLock™ are trademarks of Convey Services LLC Contact Details Bruce Ahern +1 770-580-0810 bahern@conveyservices.com Company Website https://cloudconventions.com

September 14, 2021 03:07 PM Eastern Daylight Time

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Statement from Chairman Greg Sarris of Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria (FIGR) regarding U.S. Department of the Interior acceptance of the FIGR/Point Reyes National Seashore partnership

Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria

“The Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria are delighted with this decision and look forward to working with the Park to implement a plan. This agreement will be a model for tribes and national parks to restore and enhance the national landscape now and for generations to come.” Greg Sarris, Chairman, Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria About the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria Graton Rancheria is a federally recognized Indian tribe comprised of Coast Miwok and Southern Pomo Indians. Legislation restoring federal recognition to the Federated Indians of Graton Rancheria was signed into law in December 2000. Tribal lands are located in Rohnert Park, Sonoma County, CA. For more information, visit www.gratonrancheria.com. Contact Details Brianne Miller +1 650-575-7727 brianne@landispr.com Company Website https://gratonrancheria.com/

September 14, 2021 09:18 AM Pacific Daylight Time

How the Airbnb Community is Supporting Afghan Refugees

YourUpdateTV

Over the past several years, the Airbnb community has opened thousands of doors to those in need. Airbnb.org -- an independent 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to facilitating temporary stays for people in moments of crisis -- has helped to shelter those displaced by natural disasters, and offered hundreds of thousands of places to stay and peace of mind to frontline workers at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, Airbnb.org Host and Member of the Airbnb Host Advisory Board, Susan Bailey, participated in a nationwide satellite media tour to discuss Airbnb.org and a new initiative aimed at helping Afghan refugees. Over the past few weeks, it has become abundantly clear that the displacement and resettlement of Afghan refugees here in the United States and elsewhere is a significant humanitarian crisis -- and in the face of this need, the Airbnb community is ready to once again step up. The announcement builds on efforts that have already begun in support of Afghan refugees at Airbnb and Airbnb.org. Recently, Airbnb.org infused emergency funding and support to the International Rescue Committee, HIAS and Church World Service to provide immediate temporary stays for up to 1,000 arriving Afghan refugees. Airbnb.org also worked with partners to place refugees in safe housing shortly after touching down in the US. Airbnb and Airbnb.org also recognize that the situation on the ground is fast evolving. Airbnb.org will closely collaborate with resettlement agencies and partners to go where the need goes, and evolve this initiative and our support as necessary. Organizations that are interested in partnering with Airbnb.org to help resettle Afghan refugees can get in touch here. Over the past four years, Airbnb.org and Airbnb have connected approximately 25,000 refugees -- including hundreds participating in the U.S. Special Immigrant Visa Program -- to temporary housing. In addition, earlier this year, Airbnb.org announced the creation of the $25 million Refugee Fund, to further expand Airbnb.org’s support of refugees and asylum seekers worldwide. To learn more about Airbnb.org’s work to open homes to Afghan refugees, go to airbnb.org/refugees About Susan Bailey: Susan Bailey is an Airbnb.org host. Susan and her husband Steve have hosted seven refugee families from five different countries since 2016. She has been an Airbnb Superhost since 2013 and is currently a member of Airbnb's Host Advisory Board. She hosts listings in Denver, CO and Long Beach, CA. In addition to her own listings, Susan hosts for friends and family throughout Colorado and California. She has had a passion for hosting guests in need since she began hosting. Susan was a global sales and marketing executive in the technology industry for thirty three years before launching her second career as a management consultant and host. Susan enjoys supporting nonprofit organizations and currently serves as co-chair of the Colorado Ballet Board of Trustees and as development chair for Operation Warm, based in Chadds Ford, PA. Susan is married with two children and recently became a grandmother. Nine month old baby Lucy is the source of immense personal joy for Susan. About YourUpdateTV: YourUpdateTV is a social media video portal for organizations to share their content. It includes separate channels for Health and Wellness, Lifestyle, Media and Entertainment, Money and Finance, Social Responsibility, Sports and Technology. Contact Details YourUpdateTV +1 212-736-2727 yourupdatetv@gmail.com

September 14, 2021 09:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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